The Martial Unity

Chapter 3803: A First-Time Visit

VMMM...

The hum of a moving motorized carriage hung in the air, along with a faint tension that tingled at the nerves. The light of the morning sky peered through the windows of the carriage, illuminating its interiors and the man who occupied it, sitting with folded arms and closed eyes.

His attire was that of Britannian nobility, along with a robe that bore the crest of the Imperial Palace and a badge that identified his status as prime minister.

”Your Excellency, we have arrived at the Kandrian Empire.”

Prime Minister Edward opened his eyes as the carriage passed through the transit port of the Kandrian Empire, designated for diplomatic guests, allowing him to speedily skip all of the pesky security check-ins and other protocols.

He beheld the Kandrian Empire for the first time in his entire life. Indeed, despite having known much about the Kandrian Empire for a very long time, this was the first time that he had actually entered it.

He leaned closer to the window, studying the people, the buildings, and the architecture of the port city they were in. The faint darkness in the eyes of the people was familiar to him; it was the same as what he saw in his own people when the Britannian Empire sustained heavy losses during the Beast Incursion.

In the past, he might have derived joy from knowing that his people weren’t alone in it, but now he merely sharpened his eyes at the sight. What surprised him was how advanced the civil infrastructure was. The streets were paved with a special tar that made travel smooth, while no building was smaller than a few stories, and large skyscrapers stretched high into the sky.

It was much more advanced than the Britannian Empire’s public and private infrastructure, approaching that of the Republic of Gorteau in its modernization.

Yet, while the eyes of the people were dark from the recent tragedies that had struck the Kandrian Empire, he realized it wasn’t nearly as bad as one would expect just three days after the tragedy. Even within the darkness in their eyes was great hope for the future of the Kandrian Empire.

”We’ve arrived, Your Excellency.”

He peered through the window, having arrived at a large luxury hotel complex, one with intense security around it. Martial Sages and Martial Masters manned the perimeter of the establishment, ensuring that infiltrating the hotel was impossible, save for teleportation, of course.

The carriages drove into the establishment and into a special building where the occupants could leave from their carriages in secret, reducing the risk of a teleportation assassination.

CLACK

The door to the carriage opened, as Prime Minister Edward heaved himself out it, finding himself faced with an immaculately dressed manager, bowing his head to the prime minister.

”Your Excellency Prime Minister Edward, it is my pleasure and honor to welcome you to our establishment, we have endeavored to ensure that you may experience only luxury and comfort.”

”Mmm...” The Britannian Prime Minister curtly nodded, directing a gaze at the luxury hotel complex.

It was commercial in nature, and not of the caliber that the Kandrian Empire would normally use for guests of high diplomatic importance as him. But he didn’t particularly mind given just how many guests like himself the Kandrian Empire was inviting from across the continent.

”I presume there are other international guests gathered here?” Prime Minister Edward raised an eyebrow. ”Guide me to them if you do not mind, I wish to spend some time with my colleagues.”

”Most certainly, Your Excellency,” the manager immediately agreed to the request. ”Many of them are at a banquet. Though I’m afraid that your entourage will not be able to join you there, we have prepared other provisions for them.

”Banquet...?” The Prime Minister’s secretary frowned at the manager. ”We were not informed of that.”

”My sincerest apologies, Madam Secretary, but it was a late initiative taken up by one of the members of the royal family and government to receive and honor important guests like yourselves, which is why it wasn’t a part of the original itinerary.”

”A member of the royal family and government...?” Prime Minister Edward raised an eyebrow.. ”You mean...?”

”Princess Ru, Your Excellency. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has chosen to receive and honor important guests like yourself.”

Prime Minister Edward sharpened his eyes at the name as he fell into thought. He was aware that the Emperor of Harmony had a rather young daughter of his take up the Minister of Foreign Affairs, no older than twenty-one years old.

The fact that his late friend decided to entrust her with such an important position at such a young age showed that she was extremely talented and competent, but he had simply written her off as a contender for the throne due to her lack of years, leaving her almost no time to build a base of power.

And with the Dawnbringer seemingly having supported Princess Ranea for the throne, he didn’t think there was any chance that she was relevant anymore.

”This way, Your Excellency.” The manager gestured him to a large, extravagant set of doors that flew open to reveal the banquet hall, filled with many important guests and other dignitaries.

”His Excellency, Prime Minister Edward of the Britannian Empire!” An announcer declared his arrival in the hall, as Edward walked into the hall with a measured gait, directing a sweeping gaze across gathered guests.

Most of them gazed at him with a hint of deference, as the leader of one of the fifteen Sage-level powerhouses in the world, he was a powerful man. Even more so due to his recent appointment as the Grand General of the Panamic Alliance.

An opportunity to speak to him face-to-face in an event such as this was extremely rare.

”Your Excellency, it is an honor to meet you! I am the CEO of Charsen Mining...”

”Ah, Prime Minister, it has been a long time since the East Panamic Convention last year.”

”Allow me to introduce you to...”

Prime Minister Edward expertly managed the many guests trying to earn his favor, and potentially a second meeting with him. He smoothly sifted through the wheat, separating it from the chaff, and reserving time only for offers truly worth his time.

He didn’t have the magnetic charisma of his late friend, but he could more than easily navigate a flood of attention.

”Prime Minister Edward.” A soft, young female voice with a measured tone drew his attention, cutting through the chatter around him as each and every single person grew silent.

His gaze shifted, resting on a young lady.

Then, his eyes widened.